My job as a senior grants administrator — heading the pre-award unit within the research support office — is a secure one. But it is also a dead-end position.

In order to increase my skill set and plan for the future, I enrolled in the doctorate programme at my university's department of information science. I knew that the skills I picked up would empower me to work more productively and perhaps open up new career choices. At the very least, I recognized that the four years spent in the programme would break up my routine and challenge me.

Progressing with my doctoral studies, and loving it, I recently realized that I did not see myself becoming a full-time information specialist. So, what could I do? What occupation combines a love for research, a need for sound administration and people skills, a passion for the Internet and information tools and ties in with politics and international relations? Science policy research — eureka! And so, in early 2004, I applied to the Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Internship Program of the National Academies, in Washington DC. Lo and behold, this 41-year-old research administrator from Israel was accepted as a summer intern.

My university gave me the time off and I moved to Foggy Bottom, centre of Washington's policy-making. The academies' internship programme taught me many valuable lessons: the city is ripe with opportunity and full of people eager to share their accumulated knowledge and experiences. What struck me most about this town was the enthusiasm and passion that people here attach to their jobs. It is catching. The experience confirmed for me that science and technology policy research was how I saw myself spending the rest of my professional life.

But, now that I knew what I wanted to do, where could I do it? Israel, my home for 16 years, presents many professional challenges. The university where I work is mid-sized, with an average national science capacity, and strategic planning is not a strong trait. The research office, my professional home for 11 years, is a small department with no mobility opportunities and no mandate to deal with policy issues.

But should I uproot myself, my wife and five children? The experience has taught me that although changing careers is possible, it entails both sacrifices and challenges.